10 things wealthy people never waste time on, according to entrepreneurs

You’ve probably heard the phrase “time is money.”

But that concept goes way beyond checking the clock at work.

For wealthy people, particularly those who built success from the ground, time is their most precious asset. They protect it like a hawk, trimming out distractions and low-value tasks that can suck away hours (or even years) of their lives.

I’ve met and studied a range of entrepreneurs, from small business owners to big names in tech.

One common thread is how intentional they are with their schedules. They might be generous with mentorship or open-door policies, but when it comes to activities that waste time, they’re merciless about cutting them out.

Below, we’ll dig into 10 things wealthy people typically refuse to spend time on, backed up by insights and examples from entrepreneurs who know the ropes.

1. They don’t waste time complaining about circumstances

Wealthy people are known for taking action rather than fixating on all the ways the world is unfair.

It’s not that they never vent or feel frustration, but they generally keep it short. They view complaining without a plan as mental quicksand, pulling them away from progress.

Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, has often talked about how he built his empire despite dyslexia and other early challenges.

He never let those hurdles become an excuse to sit and moan. Instead, he turned them into motivation to find solutions and keep things moving forward.

From my own experience running startups, I’ve seen how easy it is to get stuck whining about the economy or tough competition.

In my 20s, I spent too many late nights griping to friends about issues that—surprise, surprise—didn’t magically fix themselves.

Eventually, I realized I could either dwell on the problem or pivot to actual steps. Wealthy folks, from Mark Cuban to self-made millionaires next door, pick option two every time.

Complaining does serve a purpose if it sparks a solution-focused mindset.

But once you notice the conversation going in circles, it’s time to say, “What can I do next?” That’s what separates doers from those who stagnate.

2. They don’t chase every shiny new object

Wealthy people typically avoid scattering their time on every hot trend that pops up.

Yes, they stay informed, especially on emerging technologies or market shifts. But they don’t pivot their core strategies on a whim. There’s a deliberate approach to how they weigh opportunities.

Look at Gary Vaynerchuk.

He’s known for jumping into new platforms early — he was all over TikTok before many big brands even considered it.

But if you dive into his advice, he’s methodical about it.

He tests quickly, measures results, and doubles down only when it aligns with his longer-term vision. He’s not simply dabbling in everything — he’s strategic and consistent in how he invests his time and money.

In my own entrepreneurial journey, I fell victim to the “shiny object syndrome” more than once. I hopped from one idea to the next, hoping something would explode into success.

All it did was thin out my energy, and I ended up with several half-baked projects. The moment I started focusing on one or two ventures that aligned with my strengths, I saw real progress.

Wealthy individuals know that staying consistent can yield better returns than chasing every flashy concept that lights up the headlines.

3. They don’t dwell on small mistakes

Failure is part of the process — just ask any successful entrepreneur about their track record, and you’ll hear about missed opportunities, bad deals, or ventures that completely flopped.

The difference is that the truly wealthy don’t wallow in those mistakes. Instead, they treat them like data for improvement.

Elon Musk’s early rocket crashes with SpaceX were public and expensive. Yet he didn’t shut down the entire operation or throw endless blame around. He analyzed what went wrong, made adjustments, and tried again.

 Wealthy entrepreneurs might have been annoyed too, but they’d quickly pivot to analyzing data and refining their marketing approach.

That’s the difference: a short reflection period, then back to action.

4. They don’t watch hours of mindless TV or scroll social media endlessly

A lot of us unwind by binge-watching Netflix or scrolling Instagram. The difference is that wealthy people usually have a cap.

They don’t let these habits swallow large chunks of their day.

For instance, many high-net-worth individuals treat social media like a tool: they hop on to post content, respond to key messages, and stay informed—but they rarely get lost in the feed.

During one hectic phase in my 20s, I realized I was spending close to three hours each night browsing random YouTube videos.

It felt relaxing, but it also delayed my bedtime, drained my motivation, and offered zero value for my business.

Wealthy folks will often set boundaries — like not watching more than one episode of something at night or uninstalling social apps from their phone on weekends.

By limiting these time sinks, they have more bandwidth for activities that propel them forward.

5. They don’t stay stuck in toxic relationships or drama

Time spent battling negative, draining individuals or being mired in endless drama is time that can’t be invested in personal growth or opportunities.

This might mean cutting out old friends who constantly complain or finding a new job if the work environment is suffocating.

I once struggled with a toxic mentor — someone who overshadowed any accomplishments I had and constantly instilled self-doubt.

It took me a while to recognize the damage it was doing to my confidence. When I finally stepped away, it was like a fog lifted.

The thing is that wealthy people realize that drama isn’t just an emotional drain. It’s a productivity killer.

They prioritize relationships that are uplifting, productive, and mutually beneficial.

6. They don’t micromanage every task

If you try to do everything yourself, you’ll reach a ceiling fast. Wealthy entrepreneurs learn to trust capable people or outsource to experts so they can devote their energy to what they do best.

Sure, they check in and demand high standards, but they generally don’t waste time hovering over every single detail.

Richard Branson is famous for empowering his teams. He credits a chunk of his success to hiring strong managers and giving them space to excel.

He doesn’t get lost in the minutiae of daily operations for each of the Virgin Group’s many companies. This frees him up to spot new opportunities and nurture the brand’s big-picture vision.

Let’s admit it: money flows more easily when you scale, and scaling demands delegation.

It’s a key difference between those who stay stuck in the “work harder, not smarter” mode and those who expand their influence.

7. They don’t obsess over daily stock fluctuations or short-term gains

Most self-made millionaires and billionaires keep a long-term view.

Yes, they pay attention to market trends, but they don’t freak out over every slight dip in a stock’s price or panic at short-term volatility.

They understand that real wealth is accumulated consistently, over time, rather than made in a day of perfect trading.

Warren Buffett famously says, “Our favorite holding period is forever.”

He focuses on investing in companies he believes in, ignoring daily noise.

Mark Cuban has also suggested that if you’re checking stock prices multiple times a day, you might be investing money you can’t afford to lose or you lack a clear strategy.

When entrepreneurs fixate on the short term, they often make emotional decisions that sabotage their overall goals.

8. They don’t jam-pack their schedule with meaningless meetings

Busy doesn’t always mean productive.

Wealthy entrepreneurs know that time spent in endless status meetings or aimless brainstorming sessions can be time lost forever.

They’re selective about which gatherings they attend and which they delegate or skip.

Jack Dorsey, former CEO of Twitter and Square, once shared how he themed each day of the week for different areas of his businesses. This practice helped him avoid random meetings that didn’t align with his daily focus.

Instead of letting people book him at any time, he carved out dedicated slots for each priority.

People with substantial wealth and tight schedules often block time for deep work and limit open-ended meetings unless there’s a clear agenda and purpose.

9. They don’t put off important decisions

Wealthy folks often talk about the importance of swift and decisive action.

That doesn’t mean they’re reckless.

Rather, they gather what data they can within a reasonable timeframe, then make the call.

Procrastinating on big decisions can mean missing opportunities or letting problems fester until they become huge.

I used to vacillate over hiring decisions.

Should I bring on a new team member or wait?

I lost out on talented candidates because of overthinking. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs with serious net worth trust their instincts and accept that not every call will be perfect.

The ability to adapt if something goes sideways beats endless deliberation any day.

10. They don’t try to handle everything alone

Nobody achieves massive success in isolation.

Even “lone-wolf” entrepreneurs often credit mentors, support teams, or key advisors for their growth.

Wealthy individuals understand that collaborating and seeking help aren’t signs of weakness—they’re signs of wisdom.

Gary Vaynerchuk frequently credits his team at VaynerMedia for supporting and executing the vision he sets.

Likewise, Mark Zuckerberg famously brought on Sheryl Sandberg for Facebook’s early scaling, acknowledging her skill set in operations and monetization.

By surrounding themselves with experts, wealthy people multiply their impact instead of capping their potential by trying to be an expert in everything.

Wrapping up

Closing it out, but not to be overlooked—time is an irreplaceable currency, and wealthy people guard it fiercely.

These ten habits reveal that success often isn’t just about making more money — it’s about spending your days in a way that compounds your results over the long term.

If you notice yourself slipping into any of these time-wasting traps, consider making small but consistent changes.

Set boundaries on social media, learn to delegate more effectively, let go of toxic relationships that eat up mental space, and don’t be afraid to make a decision—even if it’s not perfect.

Over time, these shifts can make all the difference between a life of constant hustle with minimal returns and a strategically built, genuinely prosperous future.

Until next time, friends